We Indians like to think we are doing great on Education.
On the higher end, this might be true - our best are the best of the world.
On the lower end, we need to hide our heads in SHAME. Our lowest are similar, and sometimes lower to sub Saharan africa.
Various studies show that increase in literacy of the workforce has a very high positive correlation with the GDP.
We in India need to provide basic education to all our citizens, PERIOD. It can at least start with a system of free channels showing high quality teaching material for schools which is telecast nationally. Even a kid in a village from the lousiest school with the perennially absent teacher can at least learn something good.
Since government run Primary schools have not delivered, (apart from the Kendriya Vidyalayas etc), maybe we should look at the option of public-private partnership model in education sector.
For example, maybe it is time we explore a coupon based delivery model for welfare services.
1. Every kid from poor background gets a "education card" which can only be used to pay school fees, and towards other educational expenses. Government tops up some fixed amount on this card every year.
2. Trusts, companies or NGO's could be awarded the contract to run government schools. They can charge freely from the pupils who can afford, and the poorer kids pay via their cards.
This shall ensure their is an incentive for the schools to perform well, and attract more students, as they get paid more.
What we save from any administrative waste avoided, must be spent on education and healthcare for the citizens of India.
Spending on education also comes with other related reforms, of course. We need to make all our universities truly autonomous and free from political interference.
This does involve the question of merit and reservations, and in the long term, the task of social engineering should best be dealt by the government, not the academia. In an increasingly global market for skills and education, our universities cannot afford to debase their entry requirements.
On the higher end, this might be true - our best are the best of the world.
On the lower end, we need to hide our heads in SHAME. Our lowest are similar, and sometimes lower to sub Saharan africa.
Various studies show that increase in literacy of the workforce has a very high positive correlation with the GDP.
We in India need to provide basic education to all our citizens, PERIOD. It can at least start with a system of free channels showing high quality teaching material for schools which is telecast nationally. Even a kid in a village from the lousiest school with the perennially absent teacher can at least learn something good.
Since government run Primary schools have not delivered, (apart from the Kendriya Vidyalayas etc), maybe we should look at the option of public-private partnership model in education sector.
For example, maybe it is time we explore a coupon based delivery model for welfare services.
1. Every kid from poor background gets a "education card" which can only be used to pay school fees, and towards other educational expenses. Government tops up some fixed amount on this card every year.
2. Trusts, companies or NGO's could be awarded the contract to run government schools. They can charge freely from the pupils who can afford, and the poorer kids pay via their cards.
This shall ensure their is an incentive for the schools to perform well, and attract more students, as they get paid more.
What we save from any administrative waste avoided, must be spent on education and healthcare for the citizens of India.
Spending on education also comes with other related reforms, of course. We need to make all our universities truly autonomous and free from political interference.
This does involve the question of merit and reservations, and in the long term, the task of social engineering should best be dealt by the government, not the academia. In an increasingly global market for skills and education, our universities cannot afford to debase their entry requirements.
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